UNC School of Nursing to enhance global education with Erasmus+ grant
June 14, 2024
The UNC School of Nursing is proud to announce that the Office of Global Initiatives, in collaboration with Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), has been awarded an Erasmus+ Global grant. This grant will support a vibrant exchange program aimed at enhancing nursing education through international collaboration.
The grant application was led by a dedicated team of faculty members from both UNC and HVL. The UNC team includes Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, Lisa Woodley, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, CHPN, Rhonda Lanning, DNP, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC, RN, Cathy Crawford, PhD, RNC-OB, and Brittany Kenyon-Flatt, PhD.
The Erasmus+ grant will facilitate the exchange of six UNC students to HVL for a short-term stay, while five HVL students will participate in a semester-long stay at UNC. Additionally, the grant supports a two-week travel period for one faculty member from each institution to visit the partner university. This project aims to strengthen the partnership between HVL and UNC to improve the quality of education through mobility and internationalization. It seeks to explore differences and similarities within the Norwegian and American healthcare systems, facilitating a collaborative learning experience for both students and faculty. Participants will learn from each other, gain a better understanding of each other’s health systems, and benefit from sharing best practices.
HVL and UNC will build on their current successful partnership to inform students about the opportunities for international travel and exchange through the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program. Students will participate in COIL activities to prepare for the exchange, focusing on cultural competence and understanding the healthcare systems of the host country. HVL is developing a preparatory course for both incoming and outgoing students. During the mobility period, HVL and UNC will provide academic and logistical support.
The desired impact of the project includes increased cultural competence, professional development, and personal growth for students. Strengthening the partnership between HVL and UNC will lead to enhanced educational programs and high-quality research. The project will also foster a community impact, benefiting healthcare partners at local and regional levels.
